REU Site: Summer Research Experience at UT-Permian Basin Focused on the Applications of Science and Technology in Solving Real Energy and Environmental Problems

德克萨斯大学二叠纪盆地分校（University of Texas Permian Basin）的本科生暑期研究体验项目（REU）为本科生提供了一个独特的机会，特别是少数族裔和历史上代表性不足的学生，他们可以在科学和技术学科领域进行严格的研究。这个REU网站将让学生接触到本科研究，并提供第一手的、基于探究的学习方法。在学生大学生涯早期的研究环境中，一对一的指导可以显著提高他们对课程内容的理解，并使他们具备必要的软技能和市场技能，如批判性思维、团队合作、沟通、个人和社会责任。此外，该项目通过增加来自不同种族和社会经济背景的学生参与，增强了STEM专业人士社区的多元化。学生将接受广泛的科学设备和方法的培训，以解决与能源管理、安全以及环境保护有关的实际问题。学生将在各自领域的地区、国家和国际会议上展示他们的研究成果。二叠纪盆地是美国最大的石油生产省，也是太阳能和风力发电场面积不断增加的地方。这是一个高度动态的能源中心，为学生和教师提供独特的多学科研究机会，与西德克萨斯地区的经济增长和技术进步保持一致。然而，能源生产往往与对环境的负面影响联系在一起。从水力压裂和提高采油技术引起的地震活动和地下水污染，到钻井作业和大气中温室气体燃烧造成的污染和空气质量下降，等等。参与的学生将在最先进的实验室中，在高素质科学家的指导下研究这些问题。他们的项目成果将加深我们对问题原因的理解，提供可行的解决方案，并指导未来的研究。该站点由国防部与NSF REU项目合作提供支持。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The establishment of a summer Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program at the University of Texas Permian Basin allows for a unique opportunity for undergraduate students, especially minority and historically underrepresented, to conduct rigorous research in science and technology disciplines. This REU Site will expose students to undergraduate research and provide a first-hand, inquiry-based approach to learning. One-on-one mentorship in the research setting early in the students’ college career significantly improves their understanding of the material covered in their courses and equips them with essential soft and marketable skills such as critical thinking, teamwork, communication, personal and social responsibility. Additionally, this project enhances the diversification of the community of STEM professionals by increasing student engagement from various ethnicities and socioeconomic backgrounds. Students will be trained on a wide range of scientific equipment and methods in order to tackle real problems related to energy management and security as well as environmental protection. Students will present their findings at regional, national, and international conferences in their field.The Permian Basin, the top producing petroleum province in the country, is also home to ever-increasing large areas of solar and wind farms. It is a highly dynamic energy hub that provides students and faculty with unique multidisciplinary research opportunities that align with economic growth and technological advances in the West Texas area. Energy production, however, is often associated with a negative impact on the environment. From induced seismicity and groundwater contamination due to hydraulic fracturing and enhanced oil recovery techniques to pollution and reduced air quality as a result of drilling operations and flaring of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, among many others. Participating students will study these problems in state-of-the-art laboratories under guidance from highly qualified scientists. Results from their projects will enhance our understanding of the problems’ causes, provide viable solutions, and guide future research.This site is supported by the Department of Defense in partnership with the NSF REU program.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.